Time-controlled activated vehicular speed limit signal



I. M. HART Sept. 1, 1959 TIME-CONTROLLED ACTIVATED VEHICULAR SPEED LIMIT SIGNAL Filed March 5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 SCHOOL LIMIT SPEED BY 2 Z 2%/ ATTORNEY Sept. 1, 195.9

I. M. HART TIME-CONTROLLED ACTIVATED VEHICULAR SPEED LIMIT SIGNAL Filed March 5, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Sept. 1, 1959 l. M. HART 2,902,672

TIME-CONTROLLED ACTIVATED VEHICULAR SPEED LIMIT SIGNAL Filed March 5, 1956 3 SheetsSheet 3 ,6 P MU i 93 90 I fiu I! u i 32 4 95 33 I7 Q 9: 1 .3} I i I I; U Fig. 4 ll 98 Fig. 5

INVENTOR. Q fE'u/flv'fiTH/mr United States Patet THVIE-CONTROLLED ACTIVATED VEHICULAR SPEED LIMIT SIGNAL Irwin M. Hart, Lorain, Ohio Application March 5, 1956, Serial No. 569,305

4 Claims. (Cl. 340-74) This invention relates to a novel visible trailic control signal in which a plurality of alternate flashing light projecting and directing signals are combined with a legendbearing sign.

The signs are of the general class known as automatic activated alternating flasher signals for speed limit or stop sign purposes. For example, activated flasher signals for controlling vehicle speed limits in school zones are particularly important, and obviously urgently needed for the protection of school children, and likewise may be used for other institutions, particularly where the need for speed control or stopping during certain limited periods of time or danger hours is present.

Some motorists who have become aware of the unreasonably low speed indicated by the signal, when not needed, fail to heed the signs and reduce their speed at times of day when extra caution is required.

It follows that the signal constituting the combination of the present invention, which includes a time switch controlling mechanism rendering the sign activated to give the alternating flashing warning signals only for short times covering the danger periods, relieves the unnecessary burden on the motorist, and assures obedience to the sign because it quickly becomes recognized that these signs do not impose unwarranted restrictions when they are not necessary.

An object of the present invention is to combine with alternating flasher light signals a luminous numeral indicating the lower speed limit during the hours requiring the extra caution for safety. Thus, in addition to the sign plate bearing a legend indicating a school zone, I have provided an effective attention-attracting warning speed limit signal combined with a large illuminated panel which is normally inconspicuous but which becomes strikingly visible when illuminated during the danger periods.

Another object of the invention is to utilize a plurality, preferably a pair, of spaced flasher light signals, each having a power and effectiveness comparable to a trafiic signal and mounted with a sign plate bearing the desired legend, which when in operation illuminates a large imposing, easily-read figure indicating the required reduced speed limit.

An advantage of attaining this objective by the combination comprising my present invention is that the sign may be relatively inconspicuous when not in operation.

More specific objects are to so construct such a combination that it may be weather-resistant, easy to service, with parts replaceable on the job or at the signal location, and which may be fully power-actuated.

A still more specific object includes simplicity and cheapness of manufacture, durability, and reliability in use.

While providing for a number of periods, say three each day for a school operation, the time control mechanism may be idle on Saturdays and Sundays. Likewise, my signal unit may obviously be inactive and relatively inconspicuous during vacations and during seasons when not needed.

The time controlling device of my signal may be so regulated as to permit continuous operation, which may be very advantageous for emergencies, as, for example, temporary installation, for bridge failure, road construction, etc.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred form of my invention with a modification thereof, it being understood that other modifications may be made corresponding to the teachings hereof.

In the modified form, the illuminated number interposed between the flasher units may be omitted and replaced by other connecting means, leaving a space for printed matter indicating the zone or low limit or normal limit, as may be desired.

In the following description relating to the drawings, the value of so constructing such a composite sign of a plurality of units that it may be cheaply manufactured and effectively attain the foregoing objectives, will be come apparent.

Fig. l is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of my flasher signal sign plate, with the illuminated speed limit figure-displaying panel between the flasher lights;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the same, the contained units being diagrammatically indicated therein;

Fig. 3 is a composite diagram of the wiring arrangement showing the lines leading to the operating parts and their companion or corresponding lines leading from them to the feed line;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified form in which the illuminated middle panel is omitted and, correspondingly, the intermediate cabinet or box is omitted, while the upper and lower cabinets are spaced apart and connected by a tubular support;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the form shown in Fig. 4 showing the rear door walls of each box opened to indicate accessibility of instruments, controls, and connections carried thereby; and

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the sign plate and flashers shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Describing the structure shown in the drawings, using reference numerals, a rigid signboard or plate of metal or other suitable material 10 may bear the warning sign and informative indicia, such as School Zone or Speed Limit.

In the arrangement indicated, an area above the upper flashing signal is provided for large lettering of the words School Zone and Speed Limit, and the area between the two flasher signals may bear large numerals printed on the plate 10.

Referring first to the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the plate 10 is provided with separated openings in which are mounted lenses 12 and 13 secured by suitable clamping rings 14 and 15, from which sun shields 16 and 17 may project outwardly.

The lenses l2 and 13 are preferably provided with light-directing configurations corresponding to well-known traffic signal lenses. In the area between these lenses I may provide an enlarged, transversely elongated opening in which is mounted a transparent, colored panel 20, preferably having light-directing surface configurations, and of a color such that it is relatively inconspicuous when not illuminated. Normal areas which are wholly transparent, and which may be uncolored or of contrasting color, are indicated to form the numerals, there appearing as 25.

Either the front or back surface of the panel 20 may be rendered relatively opaque, while the area of the numeral proper is transparent and of a striking color, such as red. This panel may be held in any suitable fashion, as by a clamping member 22, and may be mounted in resilient material closely embracing its perimeter and rendering the opening Waterproof.

On the rear side of the plate 10, I may mount two similar metal box compartments, preferably having the rear or side wall hinged for access, as for example was provided for in the housing for the light-controlling mechanism as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,679,635, granted May 25, 1954.

Behind each lens 12 and 13 is a suitable lamp, which may be of the incandescent lamp-bulb type, indicated .at 26 and 27, and each positioned in front of a parabolic reflector 28 and 29. Partitions 30 and 31 may serve :to mount these lamps and reflectors, and to divide the cabinet-like box units 32 and 33 into forward and rear compartments. The latter compartments may contain the flasher controlling mechanism and timing mechanism. These cabinets are suitably rigidly fixed to the rear of the rigid sign plate 10, while between them, and as a separate unit, is an intermediate cabinet or box comprising its own top, bottom, side and rear walls, the rear wall appearing at 35 and being preferably ventilated, as indicated by the louvers 36.

A partition, indicated at 38, preferably divides this box into a forward airtight and weathertight compartment and a rear ventilated compartment, and on this partition may be mounted a neon tube grid 40, with the necessary mountings and fittings connected to its highvoltage transformer 42 mounted on the rear side of the partition 38.

In the rear compartment of the upper cabinet or box 32, I may mount a flasher control device, indicated diagrammatically by the rectangle 45, a suitable fuse 46, and a radio interference signal suppressor 48, preventing the arcing energy from interfering with normal reception by adjacent radio and television sets.

In the lower cabinet 33, I prefer to mount the time clock which controls the activation of the flasher signals and the illumination of the grid. This clock is indicated diagrammatically at 50, and is connected, as will presently appear, with the other component parts by a wiring system which may be arranged in any suitable fashion to accomplish the desired purpose.

For example, in most localities, the danger hours for a school Zone begin at 8:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m., and for the half-hour or more following each of these hours, the signs should be activated so that the flasher signals are illuminated alternately, and the bright neon tube light brilliantly illuminates the large numerals of the panel 20 indicating the speed limit.

An actuating flashing motor or control device is connected to the lights 26 and 2.7, and these controlling and actuating instruments may be connected by a suitable wiring arrangement constituting a feed from A.C. or DC. as the case may be.

An illustrative wiring arrangement is indicated in the composite diagram of Fig. 3, in which offset rectangles 32a, 33a and 35a indicate the upper and lower and intermediate cabinets, respectively. Within the upper cabinet is indicated a block bearing binding post 55 for suitable line connections, only two of which are there indicated as being used by the lines 56 and 57 of a ll0volt A.C. circuit.

From the connections on this member 55, a line 58 is shown as leading first to the fuse, here indicated at 68, from which the line is continued at 61 to a terminal of the time clock 50, shown as having a time-controlled switch member 63, which when moved intocontact with the connection 64, passes current through suitable controls, not shown, and from which current may pass through the line 70 to a terminal of the transformer 42, through a suitable fuse 72, thus energizing the neon tube through the usual connections and mountings.

Also leading from the line 70 is a line 75 connected to one of several terminals of a box 76 containing resistance and condensers, and having connections with the flasher motor, here indicated at 78, the contacts of which may alternately connect circuits leading to the lamps 26 and 27. The other terminals of these lamps are connected through wires 83, shown in the right-hand diagram, with a common return line to a terminal of the flasher, and thence, as appears in the left-hand portion of the diagram, with the box 76 and its condensers and connections.

The common return line 80 is also connected, as at 81, with the supply line connections, while another line, as at 82, leads back from the time clock control member 64. Similarly, a line 84 may return from the other terminal of the transformer, which is indicated in the diagram as the rectangle bearing the legend 6000 v. 30 ma., which, by the way, is a standard type of transformer for such neon tubes.

The foregoing is not intended to be a complete description of the wiring, but is sufliciently illustrative to indicate the connections necessary for the operation, which will now be summarized.

Assuming a permanent connection with a supply line, the time clock 50 has its main switch armature connection in open or idle position throughout the greater part of each 24 hours, and over holidays and during vacations, as described. During these periods, of course, the sign is relatively inconspicuous. An unilluminated warning sign indicating a school zone, would, of course, be noticed by the alert motorist; however, during the periods of day when, for example, school children are exposed to vehicular traflic, the circuit is closed through the time clock actuating the flasher sign alternately illuminating the upper and lower lamps 26 and 27 under the control of the flasher motor 78.

It is to be understood that the time clock, flasher motor and other equipment are well known devices, and no specific claim is intended to be made herein in respect thereto, apart from the novel combination and arrangement of my signal apparatus,

While the flasher signal is operating, the circuit is closed through the time clock switch control, and current from the transformer illuminates the neon tube 40, and continuously brilliantly illuminates the large numerals, indicating the miles per hour speed limit, until the end of the danger hour period.

It is to be understood that incandescent lighting and reflectors suitable for concentrating thelight on the transparent speed limit numerals may be used instead of the neon tube, the arrangement being comparable to that for illuminating the lenses by lamps 26 and 27, as described.

The modified form referred to, shown particularly in Figs. 4 to 6, contemplates omitting the middle cabinet section 35,, and the illuminated speed limit numeral with .its transformer, neon tube, connections, and mountings.

In this arrangement the upper and lower cabinets 32 and 33 may contain the control members and wiring connections, such as described, including the time clock switch. Some or all of these instruments may be mounted on the rear hinged walls and 91 of the cabinets for convenient accessibility. These hinged walls preferably are fitted with gaskets to render them weathertight, and, as shown, are provided with latching means such as indicated at 93, each of which may be provided with a lock, if desired.

In Fig. 4, the cabinets are shown closed, while the rear view, Fig. 5, shows the cabinets open, with the rear walls presenting the instruments carried thereby for convenient accessibility.

The two cabinets are rigidly connected together and braced by a tubular member 95 which may be in the nature of a large diameter pipe section which may be threaded to fittings secured to the adjacent surfaces of the cabinets 30 and 32. Connecting wires from between the clock switch, flasher motor, and other control members may be passed through and be protected by this pipe section. This pipe connecting the two cabinets and the sign plate 10a form a rigid unitary assemblage which may be mounted upon any suitable post or support.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 4 appears a socket 98 adapted to fit over a post P, serving as the sign support.

The sign plate a in this instance is shown as cartying the legends Speed Limit. The numerals 25 between the flasher lenses 12 and 13 are preferably large and conspicuous. Additional wording may appear below the lower lens. For example, I have shown the words When Flashing.

As indicated above, the illuminated speed limit numeral panel may be colored or surface coated to render it relatively inconspicuous when not illuminated. While I have referred to this transparent panel as possessing a striking color, its numeral delineating area may, of course, be transparent, and the striking color may emanate from a red neon tube, for example. If an incandescent light source is used for these numerals, obviously, it is necessary if color is desired, to use colored transparent panel material.

In this connection it may be observed that the configuration of the speed limit numerals may be cut in the metal plate 10, and the opening thus formed may merely be closed by a suitable transparent colored or uncolored panel, depending on whether a colored neon tube or incandescent light source is used. It is considered unnecessary to illustrate the particular arrangement, just described, in the drawings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an activated Warning and regulatory speed limit, the combination with a rigid sign plate having a trafiic guiding legend on its front face and spaced openings therethrough, signal lenses in said spaced openings, means illuminating said lenses, a flasher motor controlling said lens-illuminating means, light emitting area between said openings and lenses and delineating speed limit numerals, a light source for projecting light through said numeral area the numerals being inconspicuous when not illuminated, a time-controlled switch means and connections to said flasher motor and to said light source for rendering the flasher motor active at predetermined intervals, and means for simultaneously continuously activating the numeral light source during said intervals.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the light sources flasher motor time-controlling means and connections are enclosed in separate sectional cabinets rigidly interconnected, whereby the connected cabinets may be mounted as a unit.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the signal lens light source, the light source for said numerals, the flasher motor time-controlling means and connections are contained in three separate sectional cabinets, each having an opening and a closure therefor, and said cabinets being superimposed and rigidly interconnected and secured at the rear of said sign plate.

4. A time-controlled activated vehicular speed limit combined signal and sign comprising a sign plate bearing legends on the front face thereof and indicating the nature of the zone requiring caution, spaced light directing lenses and lamps for illuminating the same and positioned within the perimeter of said plate, a flasher control device for alternately illuminating said lamps, a continuously powered time-controlled mechanism including a switch and connections to a current supply line and means governed by the time-controlled mechanism for rendering the signal and its alternating lens illumination active during a plurality of limited periods and at predetermined times only, a cabinet for each lens and its lamp affixed to the side of the sign plate opposite the legends, each cabinet containing a portion of the time-controlling and flasher signal means, rigid means connecting the cabinets, means for mounting the cabinets and sign plate as a unit, the upper and lower cabinets being rigidly aflixed to and spaced apart by an intermediate cabinet and the sign plate having a transparent panel displaying a normally inconspicuous speed limit figure, and said intermediate cabinet including a neon grid, and transformer and supply circuits connected with the time-controlled mechanism and to be rendered active only when the flasher signals are activated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,514,608 Ely Nov. 11, 1924 1,949,996 Fleming Mar. 6, 1934 2,121,093 Munch June 21, 1938 2,23 0,994 Arbuckle et a1 Feb. 11, 1941 2,241,998 Iwaski May 13, 1941 2,294,883 Anderson Sept. 8, 1942 2,409,957 Reynolds Oct. 22, 1946 2,612,548 Swanson Sept. 30, 1952 2,624,307 Cafirey Jan. 6, 1953 2,625,598 Broussard Jan. 13, 1953 2,679,635 Hart May 25, 1954 2,797,400 Schumacher June 25, 1957 2,798,147 Orsatti July 2, 1957 2,866,175 Slater Dec, 23, 1958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,902,672 September 1, 1959 Irwin M. Hart It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

I Co11 1mn 5, line 31 for "limit, the combination with a r g d Sign" read limit sign, the combination with a r gi Signed and sealed this 8th day of July 1969,

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.v

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. 

